Proposing a social-ecological framework for successful grassland restoration in Germany: an overview and insights from the Grassworks project

Introduction: Bending the biodiversity curve and meeting international commitments like the Kunming-Montreal Agreement and the EU Nature Restoration Law require scaling up ecological restoration across spatial, temporal, and societal dimensions. Achieving this depends on a strong scientific evidence base and synthesis of effective practices from both ecological and social perspectives. Objectives: The Grassworks project investigates factors influencing grassland restoration success in Germany by integrating ecological, socioeconomic, and social-ecological perspectives. Methods: We assessed previously restored grasslands across three regions along a north–south gradient in Germany, comparing them to reference sites. A stratified design evaluated restoration outcomes based on methods, past land use, management, governance, finance, and time since intervention. We analyzed vegetation, pollinators, soil, and economic performance while considering landscape configuration. Social-ecological aspects, including stakeholder values, knowledge exchange, and decision-making networks, were also examined. A Real-World Laboratory approach integrated ex ante and ex post evaluations, demonstration sites, and co-created restoration activities. Results: We propose a replicable, adaptable framework for social-ecological restoration, synthesizing key ecological, economic, and social dimensions to support continuous learning and adaptive management, facilitating more effective and scalable restoration practices. Conclusions: Drawing from the Grassworks project, this research provides insights to inform and guide future large-scale restoration efforts, promoting a holistic and evidence-based approach to social-ecological restoration worldwide.